For many comics who worshipped Robin Williams as either friend, mentor or both, it's tough to get back on stage. But hardly the only time a stand-up had to deliver under the weight of the world.

"Every comic road dog has stories of having to go up and be funny in spite of dreadful circumstances," said Robert Hawkins, who broke the reasons down into five groups.

"Medical, chemical, mechanical, death in the family, and bachelorette party," Hawkins said. "I've experienced all of those. There's always someone there to help you out at the venue and I have good friends everywhere who'd be willing to help."

Hawkins, an Arizona resident headlining a comedy show Sept. 13 at the Bay Terrace Theatre in Vallejo, said comics look after each other in times of crisis "ever if they don't like each other."

This band of comedy brothers has especially united after Williams' shocking death Aug. 11 at his Tiburon home, Hawkins said.

Hawkins drove down Lombard, the famed "crookedest street in the world" in San Francisco some years ago with fellow funnyman Johnny Steele.

"Robin was in the crosswalk with a coffee in each hand and Steele called out to him," Hawkins said "As traffic continued around us, Robin stacked one coffee on top of the other to shake John's hand. Then he started to lean over to shake my hand. It was an accident waiting to happen so I waved him off. Yes, I waved off shaking hands with Robin Williams."

Williams quickly said he needed to run before he "got a Saab enema," remembered Hawkins.

"I was really embarrassed, but awkwardness should be expected when you get to meet a person you've wanted to emulate since you were 12 years old," Hawkins said.

Fast forward a few years ago. Hawkins is on the bill with Williams at the Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley.

While Hawkins performed he heard "that unmistakable laugh from backstage" from Williams.

"Before he left, he told me I was funny. That's a dream come true," said Hawkins, lamenting the devastating loss of the legend.

"His absence is sad and confusing to everybody," Hawkins said. "Millions of strangers around the world are experiencing this love and loss together."

Meeting Williams is "definitely up there" on the career highlight list, Hawkins said. Other top moments: "My family got to see me on TV, I few with the Blue Angeles, sky dived and had sex for free several times. None of that would have happened if I wasn't a comic."

Hawkins has performed in 19 countries on comedy tours for the U.S. military from 2003 to 2009, including more than 20 shows in Iraq.

"The crowds were incredibly easy," Hawkins said. "They really needed to laugh. People were doubled over. The comics were rock stars. They gave us more gifts then we could carry. Then we got on a helicopter and flew to the next show. Way cool."

Hawkins returns to Vallejo, having performed at the defunct Fetterly Playhouse three years ago. The Bay Terrace show under the Mira Cultural Community Center umbrella marks the return to local comedy promotion by Matt Larson, who relocated to Southern California in May.

"Everyone in the Bay Area makes fun of Vallejo. I don't," Hawkins said. "How do you not love a town that has a Motel 6, 7, and 8?"

Larson, a Vallejo lifer before fleeing south for career opportunities, said he's "still getting situated" in SoCal but missed Vallejo and the Vallejo comedy fans.

"I had an opportunity to bring in Robert, one of my all-time favorites, and couldn't pass it up," Larson said, hoping to promote more shows at the Bay Terrace.

"It's a great venue," he said. "They have their own parking lot. And it's free."